Stamp retainer for beer barrels



July 27, 1937. M. P. JANISCH sums RETAINER FOR BEER BARRELS Filed ,NOV. 23, 1933 INVENTQR n W n N P m w m w m an w Patented July 27, 1937 STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to retainer devices primarily for use in securing revenue stamps or the like to beer barrels.

An object of the present invention is to provide a stamp retainer which will afiord adequate security against loss or damage to the stamp during handling and shipment of the barrel, which will permit ready inspection of the face and contents of the stamp at all times, and which will assure ultimate mutilation of the stamp by the barrel tapping process so as to guard against re-use of the stamp after access has been had to the contents of the barrel.

An object is to provide a stamp retainer having the above mentioned characteristics and which may be readily and quickly applied to a barrel without necessitating the use of special tools.

These objects Ihave attained by the use of a frame structure preferably of sheet metal adaptedto seat upon a tap bushing, with which beer barrels are commonly equipped, and over a stamp previously applied to the bushing. Theframe is preferably of narrow ring form but of a diameter to span the major'portion of the stamp so as to secure the same against loss and at the same time leave an adequate portion of the stamp exposed for ready inspection and to permit projection of a barrel tapping device through it into the bushing.

The ring structure hereinafter described is provided with means for retaining the stamp against displacement and also with means by which the structure is retained on the barrel, either by direct attachment to the barrel or by gripping engagement with the bushing.

Other objects and advantages will appear, expressed or implied, from the following description of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a view in section of a stamp retainer constructed in accordance with the present invention and showing the same applied to the tap bushing of a metal beer barrel. This view is taken on the section line ll of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view with a portion of'the retainer broken away. 7

V Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a modified form of retainer applied to the tap bushing of a wooden barrel. This view is taken on the section line 3-3 ofFig. 4. I

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the device shown in Fig. 3 with a portion of the retainer and stamp 55 broken away.

Fig. 5 is a detail section taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

The tap bushing shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is of standard form comprising a cup-like structure Hi, welded at its base to the head ll of a metal 5 barrel, and equipped with the usual hollow central stud 52, designed to receive and support a standard tapping device and to admit a hollow tap rod therethrough into the barrel in the customary A cork 13 within the stud I2 is com- 10 manner. monly employed to seal the barrel. The bushing shown is also provided with the usual external bead or shoulder M formed on its upper rim IS.

The stamp retainer shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a narrow sheet metal ring 86 adapted to 15 seat upon the annular face of the rim t5 and against a revenue stamp I! previously applied to and across the top of the bushing. The ring I6 is preferably provided with an external downturned peripheral flange [8 adapted to center the 20 same with respect to the bushing and to crimp the stamp downwardly about the rim l5 so as to securely retain the stamp against displacement.

In this instance the ring I6 is also provided with peripheral means for engagement with the 25 bushing in such manner as to prevent accidental dislodgment of the ring therefrom. Although this might be accomplished in various ways the means shown is particularly well adapted for the purpose. It comprises a plurality of depending 30 peripheral tabs l9 preferably formed integral with the ring l6 and longitudinally bent or otherwise fashioned to pass over and snap into locking postilon beneath the bead l4 when the ring is forced into stamp retaining position on the bush- 35 ing.

The ring 16, when thus applied, securely retains the stamp l'l upon the bushing l0, provides adequate protection against damage to the stamp during handling and shipment of the barrel, and at the same time leaves a sufiicient area of the stamp exposed for inspection and identification.

In tapping the barrel, with the stamp thus applied, the tapping device is projected through the stamp l1 and ring l6 into position on the 5 stud l2 with the tap rod passing through the stud, thereby ultimately destroying the stamp and preventing reuse thereof after the tapping operation.

The ring l6 ordinarily remains attached to the bushing ID until the barrel has been refilled and 50 ready to receive a new stamp, at which time the ring it is pried off, a new stamp applied to the bushing, and the ring Hi again forced onto the bushing over the new stamp.

As indicated particularly in Fig. 3, wooden barl screwed or otherwise fixed in the head H of the barrel with the exposed end of the bushing substantially flush with the head, and for use with 5 such barrels I have provided a modified form of stamp retainer, such for instance as that shown in Figs; 3, 4 and 5.

The retainer shown in the figures last mentioned comprises a narrow metal ring I 6' adapted to seat upon the rim 5 of the bushing over the stamp I! previously applied to the bushing. In this instance the stamp is securely retained against displacement by prongs l8 depending from the inner edge of the ring and penetrating the stamp, although the ring might be provided with an inner down-turned flange designed to crimp the stamp against the inner face of the rim l5 for a similar purpose. The prongs l8 also serve to center the ring IS with respect to the bushing.

In this instance the ring I6 is secured to the barrel by a plurality of prongs I9 which may be driven into the barrel head ll. As indicated, particularly in Figs. 3 and 4, the prongs I9 are 5 preferably formed on ears 2 0 which extend radially from the ears, so that the prongs may enter solid wood well beyond the countersunk rim I5 of the bushing. The several ears 20 also serve to better secure and protect the extended margins 30 of the stamp.

Various changes may be made in either of the embodiments of the invention hereinabove specifically described without departing from or sac 2,oss,3 75

rels are ordinarily equipped with a similar bushing rificing the advantages of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:--

1. A device for retaining a stamp upon the tap bushing of a barrel, said device comprising a solid ring for application to the bushing with a stamp interposed therebetween, a down-turned peripheral flange on said ring, and resilient tabs depending from said flange for gripping engagement with the bushing to retain the ring thereon.

2. A device for retaining a stamp upon the tap bushing of a barrel, said device comprising a frame for application to the bushing ,with a stamp interposed between said frame and bushing, said frame having a continuous peripheral stamp retaining portion and a central opening through which the stamp is visible for inspection, and resilient tabs depending from said frame and engageable with said bushing to secure said frame thereto.

3. A device for retaining a stamp upon a tap bushing of a barrel, said device comprising a nonexpansible frame for application to the bushing with a stamp interposed between said frame and bushing to retain the stamp in position and condition for inspection, and a series of tabs depending from said frame for coaction with the bushing to retain the frame and stamp thereon,

s'aid tabs having cam like formations adapted to spread and engage about a shoulder on the bush- 

